Breed of chickens Vorverk: description and characteristics, rules of keeping

Forwerk chicken breed is considered very popular. These birds have an unusual attractive appearance. In addition, they are distinguished by high productivity parameters and universal purpose. Feathers belong to the meat and egg direction. They are undemanding to care, therefore they are popular with many farmers. At the same time, to get a large number of eggs and tasty meat, chickens should create suitable conditions.

Description and characteristics of the forwerk breed

To get a unique list of characteristics and an unusual appearance, breeders combined Orpington chickens and local village birds. As a result of their efforts, after several generations, they managed to get a meat-and-egg chicken.

Appearance

The birds of this breed are characterized by an original appearance, which can serve as a real decoration of the poultry yard. The main signs of birds include the following:

1. Atypical sizes and body shape for meat and egg birds. Klusha have a large, down-to-earth body with wide sides. This makes them look slightly awkward.
2. Chickens have a broad back and a rounded belly. The shins and thighs are not so expressive. Small wings adjoin the body.
3. Birds have dense plumage, which contains a small amount of fluff. Roosters of this breed have a large tail.
4. An unusual color is typical for birds. They have a black neck and tail, while the rest of the feathers are red or brown.
5. Birds have a red face and oval white ears. The head is decorated with red earrings and a serrated straight comb.
6. Beak and metatarsus are gray in color.
7. Chickens and cockerels weigh 2-3 kilograms.

Chicken productivity

Birds belong to the meat and egg direction and are distinguished by high productivity parameters. Every year they give up to 170 eggs covered with a strong soft creamy shell. 1 egg weighs 55-60 grams. Growth of individuals lasts six months. At the same time, the first eggs of the bird are given earlier, while weight gain can last up to 1 year or even more. The meat has excellent taste. They hardly change with age.

Temperament of birds

These birds received a calm and balanced character from the parent breeds. They are hard to scare. Chickens endure any stressful situations calmly. External factors do not affect the he alth or productivity of laying hens. Chickens of this breed quickly become attached to people. This can create difficulties when moving to a new location.Roosters are not inclined to arrange fights or showdowns. With the right sex ratio, you can create a calm environment in the chicken coop.

Puberty and oviposition

Maturation of chickens of this breed occurs at an average pace. The approximate start of oviposition is six months. However, the growth phase does not end there. Both hens and cockerels continue to grow throughout the year. Sometimes development continues further.

Birds lay medium sized eggs. At the same time, the peak of productivity falls on the first year from the moment of puberty. During this period, chickens give up to 170 eggs. Subsequently, these parameters rapidly decline.

Hatching instinct

The instinct of incubation is not typical for birds. Moreover, its absence is not an obstacle to breeding birds. Today, it is enough to acquire an incubator and have certain skills.Forwerk chickens do not have a maternal instinct. In the process of selection, they have lost the genes that are responsible for the instinct of incubation.

Of course, there are rare exceptions to this rule, but it is better to entrust the offspring to an incubator or another hen.

Pros and cons

The main benefits of chickens include the following:

• active development and weight gain throughout the year;
• great tasting meat;
• calm character;
• attractive appearance;
• frost resistance;
• unpretentiousness to food and conditions of detention;
• strong immunity;
• savings in feeding.

There are also disadvantages:

• rapid decline in egg production;
• difficulty meeting breed standards;
• lack of incubation instinct;
• long molting period.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

Chickens of this breed are distinguished by a calm and friendly disposition. They require special attention during the molting period.

Arrangement of the chicken coop

The chicken coop must be insulated and have additional elements of heating, ventilation, lighting. There should be 5-6 chickens per 1 square meter. At the same time, it is recommended to organize a bedding of sawdust, straw or other material on the floor that absorbs moisture well. If necessary, it should be partially changed. When disinfecting the premises, it is recommended to completely remove the coating and cover the floor with fresh material. The thickness of this layer should be 1-2 centimeters.

It is recommended to fix perches low. In this case, it is worth making a distance between the levels of 30-50 centimeters. Nests are best placed in a quiet and dark place, covering them with hay or straw.

Choose a zone for a walking yard

The area for walking should be fenced with a net. At the same time, the height of the barrier should reach at least 2-2.5 meters. The area should be well lit by the sun. Do not organize walking in places with high humidity, where the soil does not dry out for a long time. In a separate part of the courtyard, it is better to put a bath with ash and coarse sand. It is undesirable for these chickens to meet with other breeds.

Shedding season

These hens can hardly tolerate molting. At the same time, the plumage remains uneven for a long time. To speed up the recovery process, birds need enhanced nutrition. It needs to increase the amount of calcium and greens. It is worth mixing shell rock and crushed eggshells into the nutrient mixture. Also, birds need chopped tops of beets and carrots. They can be given nettles and dandelions.

Change the herd

The maximum number of eggs of a bird is given in the first year of life. Subsequently, their volume is reduced by 25%. With an interval of 2 years, it is worth replacing the livestock.

What to feed the breed?

Chickens of this breed are considered very unpretentious. It is best to give the birds cereals. The diet may contain oats, buckwheat, millet, corn. Vitamins, mineral s alts, legumes should definitely be introduced into the feed. In the summer, chickens need greenery. However, they are able to find their own food on their own. Continuous access to clean water is essential.

Chicken breeding

Breeding these birds is with the help of an incubator. Plums of this breed are considered very mediocre hens. In the first year, they do not sit on eggs. If, nevertheless, chickens begin to hatch chicks, they rarely bring the matter to an end. Sometimes there are lucky exceptions. However, experienced farmers advise using an incubator or a different breed of chicken.

Diseases of Forwerk chickens

These birds have pretty strong immunity. Their diseases are caused by hypothermia or deficiency of useful elements. Most often, forwerk chickens face colds, cannibalism and beriberi.

It should be borne in mind that birds are not immune from dangerous infections. Therefore, for prevention, routine vaccination of chickens is carried out. Forwerk chickens are distinguished by good productivity and unusual appearance. They are unpretentious in care, and therefore are grown in many farms.

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